The misunderstood curbside preacher has been spreading the good word for years, juxtaposed against the hurried bustle of Toronto’s busiest tourist attraction. His long, muted silences, abruptly halted by eruption of gospel praises still catch tourists and locals alike off guard.

As a time-honoured icon, Sarko stands out among the bevy of preachers that take up temporary residence at Yonge-Dundas Square on holidays and weekends. Even though abruptly yelling “BELIEVE” into people’s ears as they pass by is a jarring experience, it’s actually far less imposing than than the microphone-wielding preachers.